DNRC: Windy Rock cost about $56 million; FEMA reimbursement expected to cover roughly $25 million

DNRC Director Amanda Kaster told the interim budget subcommittee that the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation reported a large suppression bill for the Windy Rock fire and is pursuing federal reimbursement through FEMA’s FMAG process.

"Our wildfire response at DNRC helped to protect approximately 36,670,000,000.00 in value on private lands and 424,490,000.00 on non bridal lands," Director Amanda Kaster said as she summarized economic values the agency says it protected during recent fire activity. She cautioned those figures are agency estimates drawn from Department of Revenue data.

Wyatt Frampton, DNRC deputy forestry division administrator, described 2025 as a below‑average season by acreage but said the state’s suppression costs remain above the 10‑year average. "Our estimated net fire season suppression cost for the season is 52,000,000," Frampton said, adding that DNRC expects the current fiscal‑year suppression activity to leave a year‑end fund balance near $30,000,000 after outstanding obligations.

Committee members focused their questioning on the Windy Rock incident, where published figures have varied. A DNRC presenter told the committee the department had expended "the 56 plus number" on Windy Rock from the fire suppression fund and that the department expects FEMA reimbursement in the neighborhood of $25,000,000, though the exact amount and timing remain subject to audit and federal review.

Senator Ellis emphasized the budgetary implications and asked how legislators can track reimbursements that may not arrive for two to three years. Frampton said federal FMAG reimbursements are subject to a multi‑year settlement process involving submission of invoices, internal and federal audits and cost‑eligibility reviews. "That process takes several years," he said, adding that DNRC maintains dedicated staff to pursue those reimbursements.

DNRC staff and committee members explained the difference between accounting shifts into a federal reimbursement account and cash available for operations. Agency presentations noted that moving $16,700,000 of expenses into the federal reimbursement account increases book balance but is not immediate cash.

The department said it will provide follow‑up material to the committee with final Windy Rock accounting once invoices and federal audits are complete. No formal votes or budget actions were taken at the hearing; DNRC offered to return with detailed FMAG process timelines and specific reconciled figures for Windy Rock.

The committee adjourned with DNRC offering to provide the committee with additional documentation and the final Windy Rock cost and reimbursement tallies when available.